Miniature rose plant &#39;PACfirst&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, orange colored flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glass houses as a flowering pot plant. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES

[0001]Rosa hybrid ‘PACfirst’.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] The new variety is named ‘PACfirst’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety ofminiature rose plant, which was developed by artificially pollinating anunnamed seedling (not patent in the US) with an unnamed seedling (notpatent in the US). The two parents were crossed in the summer of 1999and the resulting seed was sown in December, 1999 in a controlledglasshouse environment. Out of these seedlings one seedling wasselected, as the new variety and named ‘PACfirst’. The new rose may bedistinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed seedling, by thefollowing combination of characteristics:

[0004] 1. The unnamed seedling has a breeding background in unnamedseedlings.

[0005] 2. ‘PACfirst’ has medium double flowers, while the unnamedseedling has big double flowers.

[0006] 3. ‘PACfirst’ has orange colored petals, while the unnamedseedling has dark yellow petals.

[0007] The new variety may distinguished from its pollen parent, anunnamed seedling created by the same inventor, by the followingcombination of characteristics:

[0008] 1. The unnamed seedling has a breeding background in unnamedseedlings.

[0009] 2. ‘PACfirst’ has smaller flowers and foliage as compared to theunnamed seedling.

[0010] 3. ‘PACfirst’ has orange colored petals, while the unnamedseedling has dark red petals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Initial asexual reproduction of ‘PACfirst’ by cuttings was firstdone in Santa Barbara, Calif., USA. The reproduction was conducted incontrolled greenhouse environments.

[0012] Have here proven to be stabile by propagation with cuttings inseveral generations. ‘PACfirst’ is a low and compact miniature rose withmedium vigor. The shelflife has been tested to be medium.

[0013] The objective of the hybridization of this rose variety forcommercial greenhouse culture was to create a new and distinct varietywith:

[0014] 1. Uniform and abundant flowers with good keepability;

[0015] 2. Attractive long lasting foliage and compact growth,

[0016] 3. Year round flowering under glasshouse conditions;

[0017] 4. Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots;

[0018] 5. Durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitablefor distribution in the floral industry.

[0019] This combination of qualities was not present in previouslyavailable commercial cultivars of this type and distinguish ‘PACfirst’from all other varieties of which we are aware.

[0020] The seeds from hybridization were planted in a controlledenvironment and evaluations were conducted on the resulting plants.‘PACfirst’ was selected by, Dan Jauchen, in his development program inSanta Barbara, Calif., USA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying color illustrations show as true as isreasonably to obtain in color photographs of this type, the typicalcharacteristics of the buds, flowers, leaves, stems of ‘PACfirst’.Specifically illustrated in:

[0022] Photo Sheet #1:

[0023]FIG. 1. Young shoot.

[0024]FIG. 2. Bud before opening the sepals.

[0025]FIG. 3. Bud at the opening the sepals.

[0026]FIG. 4. Bud at the opening the petals.

[0027]FIG. 5. Flower during course of opening.

[0028]FIG. 6. Open flower—plan view—obverse.

[0029]FIG. 7. Open flower—plan view—reverse.

[0030]FIG. 8. Fully open flower—plan view—obverse.

[0031]FIG. 9. Fully open flower—plan view—reverse.

[0032] Photo Sheet #2:

[0033]FIG. 10. Receptacle showing stamens and pistils.

[0034]FIG. 11. Receptacle showing pistils (stamens removed).

[0035]FIG. 12. Flower petals, detached—outer surface.

[0036]FIG. 13. Flower petals, detached—inner surface.

[0037]FIG. 14. Bare stem exhibiting thorns and flower attachment.

[0038]FIG. 15. Three leaflets upper side.

[0039]FIG. 16. Three leaflets reverse side.

[0040]FIG. 17. Five leaflets upper side.

[0041]FIG. 18. Five leaflets reverse side.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

[0042] The following is a detailed description of the Miniature Rose:Rosa hybrid ‘PACfirst’.

[0043] The following observations, measurements, values and comparisonsdescribe plants grown in glass houses in Santa Barbara, Calif., USA.

[0044] The age of the observed plants where 11 to 13 weeks afterpropagation by cuttings, and produced as flowering pot plants incontainer of 10.5 centimeter in diameter.

[0045] Color references are made using The Royal Horticultural Society(London, England) Colour Chart, 1995, except where common terms of colorare used. For a comparison, the nearest existing rose variety is‘POUfiry’, a rose variety described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat.No. PP12,484.

[0046] Chart 1 details several physical characteristics of ‘PACfirst’and ‘POUfiry’. Chart 1: ‘PACfirst’ ‘POUfiry’ Petal color, UpperOrange-Red Group Red Group surface 34 A 40B-C Petal color, ReverseOrange-Red Group Red Group surface 34A 41C Petal count 25-30 20-25

[0047]Parents.—Unnamed seedling. Times. Unnamed seedling.

[0048] Classification:

[0049]Botanical.—Rosa hybrid.

[0050]Commercial.—Miniature.

[0051] Plant:

[0052]Plant growth.—Moderately vigorous. Grows compact upright to bushy.When grown as 10 cm pot plant, the average height of the plant itself is18 to 20 cm, and average with is 20 cm. When grown as a 15 cm pot plant,the average height of the plant itself is 22 to 27 cm, and average withis 30 cm. Production time is generally 11 to 13 weeks depending onaverage temperature, light level, and cultural practices.

[0053] Stem:

[0054]Color.—Young wood: Yellow-Green Group 144B. Older wood:Yellow-Green Group 144A.

[0055]Thorns.—Incidence: Medium number of thorns Size: 4-5 mm Color:Greyed-Yellow Group 161D Shape: Deep concave.

[0056]Surface.—Young wood: Smooth Older wood: Smooth.

[0057]Stem diameter.—3-4 mm.

[0058]Internode length.—30-35 mm.

[0059]Numbers of internodes.—6-8.

[0060] Plant foliage: Leaves arranged alternately, compound with threeto seven leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat inaspect. Stipules at petiole base.

[0061]Quantity of leaves.—6 to 8 per lateral branch.

[0062]Leaf size.—Medium 85-90 mm(l). times. 50-55 mm(w).

[0063]Petioles.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144B, with intonations ofGreyed-Purple Group 183C Margins: with stipitate glands Length: 10-15 mmDiameter: about 0.5-1 mm.

[0064]Stipules.—Size: 6-7 mm Surface: Smooth Color: Yellow-Green Group145B, with intonations of Yellow-Green Group 144B Margins: withstipitate glands.

[0065]Rachis.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A, with intonations ofGreyed-Purple Group 183C Margins: Margins with stipitate glands. Length:20 to 40 mm.

[0066]Leaflets.—Edge: Serrated Serration: Single Shape: Ovate with acuteapex and obtuse base Texture: Smooth Appearance: Glossy Size: length: 20to 30 mm. With: 12 to 30 mm Color: Young foliage: Upper surface: GreenGroup 137C Lower surface: Yellow-Green Group 148C, With intonations ofGreyed-Purple 183C Color: Mature foliage: Upper surface: Green Group137B Lower surface: Yellow-Green Group 147B.

[0067] Inflorescense:

[0068]Blooming habit.—Recurrent.

[0069]Number of flowers.—Generally 1 to 4 bud per flowering stem.

[0070]Penduncle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 144C, Texture: Smooth, withpubescence and prickles Length: 30-40 mm Strength: Upright.

[0071]Receptacle.—Surface: Smooth, glabrous. Shape: Funnel-shaped Size:h: 5-6 mm w: 4-5 mm Color: Yellow-Green Group 144C.

[0072]Sepals.—Quantity: 5 Shape: Narrowly Ovate w. acute tip Texture:Leathery Margin: Foliaceous appendages on 3 of the five sepalsAppearance: Dull Color: Upper surface: Green Group 138B Reverse surface:Greyed-Green Group 143B.

[0073]Buds.—Size: 20-25 mm (h) 15-20 mm (w)upon opening. Shape: CuppedColor: at ¼ opening, Red Group 52A.

[0074] Flower:

[0075]Duration.—As a pot plant, flowers last form 12 to 18 days.Fragrance. None. Size: 50-55 mm in diameter. Form: Shape of flower whenviewed from the side. Up on opening: Cupped Open flower: Flat Color:Petals, upon opening. Upper surface: Orange-Red Group 34A, Reversesurface: Orange-Red Group 34A, Petals after opening: Upper surface:Orange-Red Group 34A. Reverse surface: Orange-Red Group 34A. BasalPetals spots: Size: 2-3 mm Color: White Group 155D General tonality: OnOpen flower: Third day: Orange-Red Group 34A Afterwards: Orange-RedGroup 34A-B.

[0076] Petals:

[0077]Petal reflex.—Outermost petals reflex backwards at opening. Fullyopen all petals reflex backwards.

[0078]Texture.—Smooth.

[0079]Petal edge.—Uniform.

[0080]Petal count.—Approximately 25-30 on the average per flower.

[0081]Petal size.—Length 20 mm With: 20 mm.

[0082]Shape.—Outer petals: Round-ovate Inner petals: Ovate.

[0083] Reproductive organs:

[0084]Stamen number.—Approximately 55-70 on average per flower.

[0085]Pollen.—Color: Yellow-Orange Group 22A, Abundance: Average.

[0086]Anthers. Size: 1-2 mm Color: Yellow Group 2D, Shape: Oblong.

[0087]Filaments.—Size: 4-5 mm Color: Red-Purple Group 58B.

[0088]Pistils number.—Approximately 25-35 on average per flower.

[0089]Stigmas.—Location: Superior in location to anthers Color:Yellow-Green Group 145C.

[0090]Styles.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 145C. Length: 3 to 4 mm.

[0091] Development:

[0092]Vegetation.—Dense.

[0093]Blooming.—Abundant.

[0094]Aptitude to bear fruit.—Poor.

[0095]Resistance to diseases.—Above average resistance to mildew andBotrytis under normal growing conditions in Santa Barbara, Calif., USA.Hips/seeds has not been observed due to that the plant has never beengrown to the stage of seed development, due to the fact, that thevariety is developed for use as a flowering pot plant only.

[0096]Winter hardiness & drought/heat tolerance.—Due to the fact, thatthis variety is a potted flowering plant, developed for one time useonly, the plant is not tested for winter hardiness or drought/heattolerance.

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniature class,substantially as herein illustrated and described as a distinct andnovel rose variety due to its abundant orange flowers, attractive longlasting foliage, vigorous and compact growth, year round flowering underglasshouse conditions, suitability for production from softwood cuttingsin pots, and durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitablefor distribution in the floral industry.